‘I love my players more than ever’ – Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal team despite draw against Southampton

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his team were “disappointed” with a 3-3 draw against Southampton but claimed he “loved” his players.

For much of the second half his team looked set for a dispiriting home defeat but two late goals, the first from Martin Odegaard and the second from Bukayo Saka meant that the points were shared.

A point does not change the fact that Manchester City can go top if they win their game in hand, and the two sides meet next Wednesday, but Arteta had mixed opinions.

He told Sky Sports: “Obviously unhappy with the result, We made it very difficult again for ourselves but mistakes are part of football but the way we reacted I love my players more than ever.

“It is incredible, we were on the way back, we conceded again with a sloppy goal but in the end we should have won the game. We created enough chances and opportunities but it didn’t happen and we are disappointed.

“You can’t concede three goals in this league, if you concede three like we did in a sloppy way it is very difficult to win matches.

“This young team reacts in a way that is incredible, when it is against the odds but the chances they created and the spirit they had it was a joy to watch. The message is clear that I love them.

“We are down and they are more willing than anybody to win it. You can see that spirit and fight in the dressing room but it is clear we have to do defensively things better.”